Option 1: Essential Reading By Grade
I recommend the following books for parents and students. These are among the greatest books. They are enjoyable and will help your student become educated and live well.
Ideally, parents should read the books before their students do so that they can discuss the subject matter and help their students enjoy and learn from them.
The books below are organized by grade and include a mix of Bible, literature, history, and one biography (i.e., Confessions). More comprehensive student reading programs are available – see the bottom of the page.
Lastly, some of the books below are Christian (e.g., Knowing God by J. I. Packer). I encourage all to give them a read.
7th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| The Wind in the Willows Genesis Exodus | Samuel (Guide 1 and 2) Kings The Hobbit |
8th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Mark Romans (Guide 1 and 2) Acts | Anne of Green Gables Odyssey Confessions |
9th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Pilgrim’s Progress Land of Hope Declaration of Independence & Constitution | Pride & Prejudice Federalist Papers (Selections) Great Expectations |
10th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Knowing God The Iliad The Aeneid | The Peloponnesian War Macbeth [Placeholder for fiction work] |
11th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Enjoying God The Divine Comedy Isaiah | The Republic Phantastes On Christian Doctrine |
12th Grade
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| Paradise Lost Enjoying Jesus Moby Dick Revelation | Washington and Lincoln’s Speeches (Selections) Institutes of the Christian Religion Jesus the Great Philosopher Praying the Bible |
Option 2: Most Essential Reading
These are the most important books for an education; they should be read carefully at least once before high school graduation. Recommend reading The Hobbit, Anne of Green Gables, and The Wind in the Willows first.
| The Bible (English Standard Version or the New Living Translation for first time reading) |
| Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey |
| Virgil’s Aeneid |
| Dante’s The Divine Comedy |
| John Milton’s Paradise Lost |
Option 3: Comprehensive Reading Programs
Here are longer reading programs for students who want more. Note: I have not read all the recommended books or purchased the courses. Some books may not be appropriate for the recommended grade. Parental discretion is advised.
The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Philosophy of Christian Classical Education – See Appendix I: Reading Lists, in particular, the Ambrose School Reading List